Combined clam and oyster opener



Feb. 1, 1966 T. R. BERRY COMBINED CLAM AND OYSTER OPENER Filed March 16, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR on s y 0L8 q 0 Feb. 1, 1966 'r. R. BERRY COMBINED CLAM AND OYSTER OPENER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 16, 1964 R my m5 V m W 60 mm d U M United a es Pat n This invention relates to a device to open' shellfish, and more particularly pertains to a single devicewhich can open all members of the bivalve mollusk family of invertebrates, such for example as clams or oysters.

The shucking or opening of clams and oysters requires 5 a combination of hand movements and exertion of certain forces on an opening instrument pressed against the bivalve mollusk. The sequence of operations is different for oysters than it is for clams. Professional shuckers effect the appropriate movements deftly and with ease.

Amateur shuckers, on the other hand, frequently have great diificulty opening clams and oysters. "In genefal, the procedure involves piercing the joint between the shells,. spreading the shells sufiiciently to permitcuttirig the hinge, in fact cutting the hinge, and then cuttingthe muscle within the shells.

In addition to the basic movements required, account must be taken of the fact that the physical structure of a clam is different from that of an oyster. shells come together at a taper along a portion of their lip surface. Oyster shells, on the other hand, join as if two semi-spheres were brought together, lip-on-lip, all around to form a sphere. Because of this different structure, ability to swiftly open a clam, Without cracking the shells, does not necessarily ensure ability to so open an oyster, or vice versa. In any event, it is particularly tricky to accomplish the opening of clams or oysters neatly, without damage. This is especially true for amateur shuckers, such as homemakers. fact that clam and oyster mollusks develop in widely varying sizes.

Devices are known and are available which aredesigned to assist amateur shuckers to open clams only; and

Clam

Compounding the difiiculties is the other devices also are known which are designed to assist such individuals to open oysters only. The latter devices are separate and distinct from the former. The devices of each class do, more or less successfully, operate as they have been designed to operate. On the other hand, apparatus that opens clams as well as oysters has not been combined into one unitary, compact mechanism. An object of the present invention is to provide a single improved device which can open clams or oysters.

Another object of the invention is to provide a unitary compact clarn and oyster opening device which enables amateur shuckers to swiftly and accurately otpen either clams or oysters without damage to the shells or to the shucker. I

Another object of the invention is to provide a single device which enables an operator thereof to open clams of all sizes and oysters of all sizes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combination device that enables an operator thereof to readily, safely pierce the joint between clam shells or oyster shells, to spread the shells, to cut the hinge and to cut the muscle within the shells, without splitting the shells or injuring the operator.

Other objects will become apparent as the specification progresses.

The invention achieves the various objects stated above by use of a multi-purpose base which supports a guidepost, and distinct but mutually adjacent clam and oyster rests. Novel piercing, wedging and cutting surfaces of a knife are controlled by a guide on the guidepost which in relation to a clam or oyster to be opened.

, guide assists placement and movement of these surfaces 3,231,930 Patented Feb. 1, 1966 Having reference to the drawings, generally:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device of the invention from one side showing the knife blade piercing the joint of a clam. Throughout the drawings clams are distinguished from oysters by concentric lines spaced around the surfaces of the clam shells. The oysters have segmented, grouped lines located at random over the surfaces of the shells.

FIG. 2 is aperspective view of the device of the invention from one side showing the novel Wedge blade of the invention piercing the joint of an oyster;

FIG. 3 isa side view on an enlarged scale of part of the; invention showing the Wedge blade spreading apart two oyster shells. FIG. 4 is" a sideview of part of the invention showing the upstanding guidepost, the distinct clam rest, and the separate but adjacent oyster rest. t

FIG. 5 is a front view of part of the invention showjug-details of the construction of the guidepost and novel guide of the invention;

FIG. 6 is aside view of the novelknife blade, handle therefor and wedge blade of the invention, showing the preferred means of attachment of the'handleto the- -knife blade.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the apparatus of FIG. '6 also showing the preferred means of attachment of the handle to the knife blade.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the knife blade and the wedge blade of the invention, from one side, illustrating how the wedge blade is twisted to spread apart oyster shells once the joint of an oyster has been pierced by the wedgeblade. I

With particular regard to the drawings, it will be observed that there is a flat bottom base 1, which may be of wood. This is preferably of a size that can be conveniently held in one hand during opening operations. Alternatively, it may be rested on any appropriate surface. Clam rest 2. may be of wood and is attached to the base 1 by countersunk screws 13. It stands higher than the base when mounted thereupon, and accommodates any size clam. Immovably disposed between the est 2 and the base 1 is the horizontal supporting portion of upstanding metal guidepost 3 which guidepost abuts clam rest *2. A groove may be cut into the underside of the clam rest to accommodate the lower or horizontal support portion of the guidepost. The upper surface of the clam rest slopes down into contact with the guidepost. The sloping surface materially aids an operator to hold a clam in place during opening thereof. Also, this angular structure of the clam rest ensures that a knife blade 10 will penetrate between clam shells smoothly without cracking or chipping the shells. Oyster rest 4, integral with the base 1, lies lower than but adjacent to clarnrest 2.

FIG. 2 shows an elementary form of rest 4, while FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a more sophisticated rest 4 which holds oysters firmly in a cavity. The rest 4 is large enough to hold any size oyster. The peak of the clam rest upper surface provides a rectangular wall surface upstanding at a right angle to the oyster rest. In addition the oyster rest may have a recess 14 to assist in holding the oyster steady. This feature assists an operator to retain an oyster in position during opening. Metal knife blade guide 8 sets the upper limit of vertical travel within the guidepost 3 for the very sharp tapered knife blade 10. This blade is tapered along its length as well as edge to edge for sliding between clam shells and for spreading the same. In other words, the guide 8 lines up and positions the knife blade 10 with reference to the clam and Oyster. rests in preparation for opening a clam or an oyster. Thus when the knife blade is in the guide '8 the latter acts as means to line up the tapered portion of the blade over the clam rest. The holder or guide 8 is vertically adjustable, up and down along the guidepost 3, and has a retaining tongue 7 riding in vertical slot 5 of the guidepost 3 to maintain it in vertical alignment with said slot and post. Wing nut and screw 11 lock the guide 8 in any of a large variety of positions on the guidepost. These features enable an operator to adjust the guide 8 so that all of the various sizes of clams and oysters can be opened by the device. Two sloping inner sides 20 and fiat upper inner surface 6 interconnecting those sides describe the effective shape of the adjustable guide 8. This shape permits some shell spreading movement of the knife blade therein when that blade is inserted between two clam shells. That is, the blade can be pivoted or oscillated on its sharp edge, from side to side, to the edges of the guide 8, much as the arm of a metronome moves about its pivot point (FIG. 5). The shape also provides for joint slicing motion of the wedge when that is inserted between two oyster shells. This will be motion through an arc whose radius is measured by the distance of the joint from the guidepost.

The shell spreading movement of knife blade 10 may, alternatively, or additionally, take the form of inverted pivot motion using the fiat upper inner surface 6 of the guide 8 as pivot point for oscillatory motion of the blade 10. Such movement is the inverse of the metronome-like motion described above.

Knife handle 18 is attached along the part of the knife blade 10 which is remote from the tapered end, for example, by assembly rivets 15. Wedge 12 is firmly mounted crosswise of the knife blade 10 by screws 9 which may be bushed to ensure firm retention in the handle during stress. It is located on the handle where the 'blade protrudes through said handle. This wedge is sharp and tapered or narrowed downwardly toward the oyster rest as can be seen best in FIGS. 1 and 2. It is designed to pierce oyster joints and spread apart oyster shells.

The taper of the knife blade 10 along its length is coordinated to the positions of the clam rest and guidepost slot so that the thin portion of the blade can be used on clams during all opening phases, both when the thin end portion of the blade lies within the knife blade guide 8 and when it has been withdrawn therefrom. In like manner and, it is emphasized, in the same device, the taper of the knife blade is coordinated to the positions of the oyster rest and the guidepost slot so that when the thin end portion of the blade lies within the knife blade guide 8 the wedge 12 can be drawn along the joint of an oyster to pierce the same, and when the thin end portion of the blade has been withdrawn from the knife blade guide and after the wedge has been twisted in the joint then the thick portion of the knife blade can be introduced into the oyster for subsequent phases of opening.

The structure of the invention having been set forth above, the operation of the device will now be described. It is to be observed that while both oysters and clams could possibly be opened simultaneously with the inventive device, with appropriately chosen sizes of clams and oysters, the objects of the invention contemplate use thereof for either a clam or an oyster at any particular moment.

Clam opening will be described first. Knife blade 10 is used for all phases of clam opening. A clam 17 is placed upon the clam rest 2 and abutting the guidepost 3. The clam is disposed so that its joint lies parallel with and under knife blade 10 (see FIG. 1). The adjustable guide 8 is locked into that position along the vertical axis of the slot 5 which permits the knife blade 10 to rest atop the joint of a clam at an angle which is acute to the horizontal when the end of the blade 10 rests against the fiat upper inner surface 6 of the knife blade guide 8. The sharp thin edge portion of the tapered knife blade is bmught to bear on the joint of the clam 17 as the clam lies upon rest 2 and against guidepost 3.

The knife blade edge effects shell-opening contact as it is pressed down between the two clam shells and pierces the joint. The flat upper inner surface 6 of guide 8 serves as the fulcrum for the third class lever action involved. As the joint is pierced the blade spreads the shells enough so that the thick portion of the knife blade can be inserted to further open the shells and permit subsequent cutting of the hinge. Because of the shape of the guide 8 it is possible to twist and/or swing the knife blade while it is between the shells yet within the guide. Such motion further readily spreads the shells to permit easy cutting of the hinge. When twisting the knife, the blade 10 will move off from the flat upper inner surface 6 to either side of the adjustable guide 8. Once the hinge has been cut and the shells spread quite apart, the clam and the knife are picked up in one hand, and the muscle inside the clam is then cut by means of the knife blade 10.

Whereas just the knife blade 10 is used to open clams, both the knife blade IQ and the wedge 12 are used to open an oyster. The wedge 12 is used first (see FIGS. 2 and 3). When an oyster 19 has been located on the rest 4 and against the rest 2 so that the joint of the oyster lies transversely of the knife blade 10, and across the width of the rest 4, parallel with the wedge, the adjustable guide 8 is locked in that position on the guidepost which ensures that when the blade 10 is inserted into guide 8 and against flat upper inner surface 6 of the guide, wedge 12 rests on the joint between the oyster shells. That is to say, the wedge and the joint are in operative alignment. The wedge is pressed down into the joint and pierces the same. The surface 6 again acts as fulcrum for the leverage action. With the surface 6 acting as a pivot point, the shucker, at his option, may draw the wedge 12 along the joint, thus opening the same to a width greater than that of the wedge per se. This will be a swinging motion of the wedge and blade as viewed from above. The oyster is then picked up while the wedge remains embedded between the shells. A twist of the wedge, as viewed from above, spreads the shells as needed so that the muscle can be cut with blade 10.

As was noted in the introductory portion of this specification a plurality of movements of apparatus are necessary to effect opening of a clam or an oyster. With the apparatus of the instant invention the first movement is the same for both kinds of mollusks and the knife blade is in the same position for these first stages or movements, whether the mollusk be clam or oyster. That is, a downward pressure upon the appropriate joint piercing element: knife blade 10 for a clam, and wedge 12 for an oyster, pressure upon either element being exerted upon the handle 18. This first movement is effected through third class lever action, the guide surface 6 being the fulcrum in both cases. The second movement is different for the two kinds of mollusks; a metronome-like movement of the blade 10 retained within the guide 8, or the inverse of this motion, or both, spreads clam shells. For an oyster the knife blade is removed from the guidewhile the wedge 12 is retained in the joint and then twisted to spread the shells. The third movements are again the same; the knife blade 10 is used to cut the muscle of both kinds of mollusk. Thus, only during the second stage or movements are the two mollusk types treated differently.

It can be appreciated that the physical embodiment of the invention provides a compact device which, at any given moment can be used to swifty, safely and cleanly open a clam or an oyster and during any moment subsequent thereto can be used to open the other member of the shellfish family for which the device is designed, be it the oyster or the clam. The order in which the oysters and clams are set up for opening by the device is quite immaterial. It is apparent that the device is sturdy and that it can be used to open all sizes of clams and oysters. It will be appreciated that the foundation for the invention lies in the use of two different rest members i.e., 2 and 4, on the same base, for the different shellfish involved, plus the right angle wedge and the removability of the knife blade from the guide after the initial out has been made.

Applicant does not limit the invention to the precise configuration as set forth above in the specification or in the claims that follow. For example, alternative structure for the guidepost and guide may be acceptable, such as a simpleupstanding plate-like post with stepped notches or spaced holes therein to receive the knife blade.

Modifications to the apparatus which are apparent to workers normally skilled in the art to which the invention pertains are considered to be within the ambit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A unitary clam and oyster opening device comprising a base, in combination with separate clam and oyster rests disposed on the base along the length thereof,

a knife blade,

a handle attached to the blade near one end thereof,

a sharp wedge tapered crossways of and disposed crossways of the blade and attached to the handle where the blade protrudes therethrough,

a guidepost attached to and upstanding from the base at a predetermined locus with relation to the position of a clam on the clam rest,

a blade guide slidably mounted in a slot in the guidepost to permit removable positioning of the blade and shell spreading motion thereof when the blade is in the guide,

a taper along the length of the blade which is coordinated to the position of the clam rest and the guidepost slot to ensure that the thin end portion of the blade can be used for a plurality of clam opening steps, both while said portion lies within the guide as well as when said portion has been withdrawn therefrom,

and in which the thickest portion of the blade is at the juncture of the blade and handle.

2. A unitary tool for opening clams and oysters comprising in combination a portable base,

a clam rest fixedly mounted on the base, along the length thereof and upstanding therefrom, with the upper surface of the rest sloping along the length of the same,

an oyster rest formed by that part of the base which lies adjacent the clam rest at the high end thereof so that any oyster on its rest lies against the high end of the clam rest,

a knife blade tapered to a thin end along its length and to a sharp cutting edge across its width for use during opening of clams and oysters,

a handle attached to the knife blade distant from the thin end of the blade,

a guidepost fixed to and unstanding from the base in tandem with and abutting the clam rest at the low end of said rest, a blade guide lockably attached to the guidepost to slide in a vertical slot in said post, into which guide the knife blade is removably insertable to position the tapered portion thereof with respect to a clam to be opened,

a flat upper inner surface on the guide and two inner surfaces thereon connecting with the flat upper inner surface and slanting down and out therefrom, which three surfaces permit shell-spreading movement of the knife blade to be effected within the guide,

and a sharp pointed, tapered wedge attached to the handle crossways of the knife blade at the spot where the said blade protrudes through the handle, and located for use on oysters on the oyster rest when the knife is in the blade guide on the guidepost;

whereby the same tool can be used to safely, easily and quickly open any size of oyster and any size of clam.

3. A unitary clam and oyster opening device comprising a single base, in combination with clam and oyster rests different from each other and arranged in tandem along the length of the base, a sharp knife blade tapered along its length parallel to the length of the base, a handle for the blade attached to the blade along a portion of the length thereof, in which the thickest portion of the blade is at the juncture of the blade and handle, and means on the base detachably holding the tapered portion of the knife over the clam rest, said means being adapted to permit shell-spreading motion of the blade,

in combination with a wedge carried by the blade and handle spaced to be over the oyster rest when the tapered portion of the knife blade is over the clam rest, said wedge being crossways of the knife and tapered downwardly toward the oyster rest.

4. The clam and oyster opening device as claimed in claim 3 in which the wedge is disposed crosswise of the blade so that when the blade is positioned within the guide the wedge can be used to pierce the joint between shells of an oyster on the oyster rest, and to further provide that when thereafter the blade is withdrawn from the guide the oyster opening operation can be continued.

5. The clam and oyster opening device as claimed in claim 4 in which the blade guide is slidable in a slot in the guide post, and the guide post is mounted a predetermined distance from the position of a clam on the clam rest and the position of an oyster on the oyster rest, which guide structure renders the clam and oyster opening device adjustable in height to accommodate the blade, wedge and handle combination to the available different sizes of clams and of oysters during at least the jointpiercing opening movements common to both clams and oysters.

6. The clam and oysters opening device as claimed in claim 3 in which the taper of the blade is also coordinated to the positions of the oyster rest and the guidepost slot to ensure that with the thin end of the blade lying in the guide the wedge can be drawn along through the joint of an oyster on the oyster rest to pierce said joint, and after the blade has been withdrawn from the guide the wedge can then be twisted within the oyster to spread the shells, and the thick portion of the blade can thereafter be introduced into the oyster joint for the next subsequent phase of opening.

7. A unitary clam and oyster opening device comprising a single base in combination with separate clam and oyster rests disposed on the base along the length thereof, a knife blade and a handle near one end thereof, in combination with a guidepost attached to and upstanding from the base at a predetermined locus with relation to the position of a clam on the clam rest, a Wedge on the knife blade crosswise of the blade, and a blade guide mounted on the guidepost to permit removable and adjustable positioning of the blade and shell spreading motion thereof when the blade is in the guide, the knife blade being tapered in the direction of the length of the blade coordinated to the positions of the clam rest and the blade guide ensuring that the thin end portion of the blade can be used for a plurality of clam opening steps, both while said portion lies within the guide as well as when said portion has been withdrawn therefrom.

8. A unitary clam and oyster opening device comprising a single base having separate clam and oyster rests disposed on the base along the length thereof, a knife blade and a handle near one end thereof, in combination with a guidepost attached to and upstanding from the base at a predetermined locus with relation to the position of a clam on the clam rest, a guide mounted on the guidepost to permit removable positioning of the blade and shell spreading motion thereof when the blade is in the guide, and a wedge carried by the blade and handle crossways of the length of the knife blade and tapered downwardly toward the oyster rest; in which the taper of the blade is so coordinated with the loci of the oyster rest and the guidepost that when the thin end of the blade is lying in the guidepost the wedge can be drawn along through the joint of an oyster on the oyster rest, and will pierce that joint, and after the blade has been withdrawn from the guide the wedge can be twisted Within the oyster to spread the shells and the knife blade can thereafter be introduced into the oyster to cut the muscle.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 189,966 4/1877 Temple 17-9 r 717,408 12/1902 Jacobsen 177 0 1,784,334 12/1930 Calhlm 30-295 2,506,817 5/1950 Svec 179 2,520,790 8/1950 Wesik 179 SAMUEL KOREN, Primary Examiner. LUCIE H. LAUDENSLAGER, Examiner.

H. R. DEELEY, JR, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A UNITARY CLAM AND OYSTER OPENING DEVICE COMPRISING A BASE, IN COMBINATION WITH SEPARATE CLAM AND OYSTER RESTS DISPOSED ON THE BASE ALONG THE LENGTH THEREOF, A KNIFE BLADE, A HANDLE ATTACHED TO THE BLADE NEAR ONE END THEREOF, A SHARP WEDGE TAPERED CROSSWAYS OF AND DISPOSED CROSSWAYS OF THE BLADE AND ATTACHED TO THE HANDLE WHERE THE BLADE PROTRUDES THERETHROUGH, A GUIDEPOST ATTACHED TO AND UPSTANDING FROM THE BASE AT A PREDETERMINED LOCUS WITH RELATION TO THE POSITION OF A CLAM ON THE CLAM REST, A BLADE GUIDE SLIDABLY MOUNTED IN A SLOT IN THE GUIDEPOST TO PERMIT REMOVABLE POSITIONING OF THE BLADE AND SHELL SPREADING MOTION THEREOF WHEN THE BLADE IS IN THE GUIDE, A TAPER ALONG THE LENGTH OF THE BLADE WHICH IS COORDINATED TO THE POSITION OF THE CLAM REST AND THE GUIDEPOST SLOT TO ENSURE THAT THE THIN END PORTION OF THE BLADE CAN BE USED FOR A PLURALITY OF CLAM OPENING STEPS, BOTH WHILE SAID PORTION LIES WITHIN THE GUIDE AS WELL AS WHEN SAID PORTION HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN THEREFROM, AND IN WHICH THE THICKEST PORTION OF THE BLADE IS AT THE JUNCTURE OF THE BLADE AND HANDLE. 